Rounders: A History of Baseball in America
This Week in Baseball History
This Week in Baseball History: Sept 30 - Oct 6
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This Week in Baseball History: Sept 30 - Oct 6

A 16-year-old starts a pro game, the first World Series takes place, a rare triple-header occurs, and much more!

September 30, 1956: The Youngest Starting Pitcher Makes His Debut

Trading Card Database

Jim Derrington made baseball history by becoming the youngest pitcher in modern Major League Baseball history to start a game at the age of 16 years and 10 months.

Pitching for the Chicago White Sox against the Kansas City Athletics at Municipal Stadium, he threw for 5 innings, allowing 9 hits, 6 earned runs, walking 3 batters, and striking out 3.

Despite the White Sox losing 7-6, it was an impressive debut for a teenager who was still in high school. Unfortunately, Derrington’s major league career was short-lived, as he only appeared in two games during the 1956 season.

Although Derrington’s time in MLB was brief, his achievement remains a remarkable part of baseball history. He later went on to play in semi-pro leagues and enjoyed a successful career in business.


October 1, 1903: The First World Series Game Takes Place

Photo of 1903 World Series at old Boston ballpark

The first World Series game in baseball history was played on this date between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Red Sox (then known as the Boston Americans).

The game took place at Huntington Avenue Grounds in Boston, marking the beginning of what would become one of the most iconic traditions in sports. The Pittsburgh Pirates emerged victorious with a 7-3 win over Boston.

Jimmy Sebring, the Pirates’ right fielder, made history by hitting the first home run in World Series history. Deacon Phillippe was the winning pitcher for the Pirates, demonstrating his skill and control by limiting Boston’s powerful lineup.

On the other side, the legendary Cy Young, already one of baseball’s most famous pitchers, took the loss for Boston.

The game was the first of an eight-game series (the format used at that time), and it showcased the excitement and competitive spirit that would come to define the World Series in the years to come.


October 2, 1920: A Rare Triple-Header Ends in an Exciting Finish

File:Forbes Field. Schenley Park. Pittsburgh, PA.jpg

The only triple-header of the 20th century took place between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. In an extraordinary feat of endurance and stamina, the teams played three consecutive games in a single day, a rarity in baseball history.

The Cincinnati Reds won the first two games, showcasing their dominance early in the day. However, the Pittsburgh Pirates managed to bounce back and won the third game, which was cut short after six innings due to darkness, as stadium lights were not yet common in baseball at that time.

This unique three-game marathon was the result of scheduling difficulties, rainouts, and the desire to complete games before the season’s end. Despite its historic nature, triple-headers have never been repeated in Major League Baseball since, making this event a singular moment in the sport’s history.


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October 3, 1993: Toronto Hitters Secure the Top 3 Batting Race Spots

The Toronto Blue Jays made American League history by becoming the first team to have teammates finish 1-2-3 in the league’s 1993 batting race.

John Olerud led the way with an impressive .363 batting average, earning him the AL batting title and cementing his status as one of the best hitters in the game that season.

Following closely behind him was Paul Molitor, who finished with a .332 average, while Roberto Alomar secured third place with a .326 average. This monopoly on offense highlighted the absolute dominance of the Blue Jays’ lineup, which was a key factor in their successful season.

The outstanding performances of Olerud, Molitor, and Alomar helped propel the Blue Jays to their second consecutive World Series title.


October 4, 1922: The World Series Hits the Airwaves for the First Time

File:Polo Grounds original.JPG

In 1922, the World Series was broadcast over the radio for the first time, transforming how baseball fans experienced the game.

The matchup featured the New York Giants against the New York Yankees, and fans who couldn’t attend in person were able to follow the action live from their homes.

Legendary sportswriter, Grantland Rice served as the announcer for this groundbreaking broadcast, delivering play-by-play coverage from the Polo Grounds. The broadcast was handled by station WJZ in Newark, with its signal being relayed to WGY in Schenectady, expanding the reach to a wider audience.

This innovation allowed baseball enthusiasts to experience the excitement of the World Series in real-time for the first time.


October 5, 1921: New York Hosts a Rare One-City World Series

File:Carl Mays, 1915.jpg

The World Series made history as the first one-city World Series since 1906, with all the games being played at the Polo Grounds in New York. The venue was shared by both participating teams—the New York Yankees and the New York Giants.

In Game 1, Yankees’ ace Carl Mays, who had an impressive 27-9 record during the regular season, was dominant on the mound, needing only 86 pitches to silence the Giants’ lineup, allowing just five hits.

Remarkably, four of those hits came from the Giants’ star second baseman, Frankie Frisch. Meanwhile, Babe Ruth, who was finishing his first World Series with the Yankees, made an immediate impact by driving in the first run of the Series in the opening inning, helping lead his team to a 3-0 victory.

The series would ultimately be won by the Giants in eight games (the Series was a best-of-nine format that year), but Game 1 showcased the Yankees’ emerging power and Ruth’s rising status as a baseball legend.


October 6, 1911: The Great Cy Young Pitches His Final Game

File:Cy Young by Conlon, 1911.jpeg

On October 6, 1911, legendary hurler Cy Young made his final appearance in a major league game, marking the end of one of the most remarkable careers in baseball history.

Pitching for the Boston Braves, Young faced the Brooklyn Dodgers but unfortunately, his farewell appearance was a disappointing one, as he lost the game 13-3. This outing was his 906th major league game, a testament to his unmatched longevity on the mound.

Even with the rough ending, Young’s career is without equal. He racked up 511 wins, a record that still stands today, along with 7,356 innings pitched and 749 complete games.


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Rounders: A History of Baseball in America
This Week in Baseball History
Each week we look back and forward to some of the biggest stories affecting baseball. This show is for email subscribers of the "Rounders: A History of Baseball in America" show.